Start Up
All of us really want to make a difference. But in a world full of brokenness and need, it can be overwhelming and confusing to figure out how to engage. The good news is God is at work all over the world through His church, and tremendous progress is happening. We talked about how God has worked in powerful ways through our partnership in Ethiopia. As we celebrate what God has done, let’s think about how we can continue to engage and do the most good in our community and around the world.
- What is one thing you learned from this weekend’s message and celebration?
- What is one thing that inspired you from this weekend’s message and celebration?
- Helping others can be hard. Share with the group a time where you became disillusioned as you attempted to meet a need. What made it challenging or discouraging?
- Share with the group a time where you made an impact in a significant way (either locally or globally). What made this particular situation so inspiring to you?
Discuss Together
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 together.
Make some observations about this passage together. Who is Paul addressing, and why is he so thankful?
- How are these believers living with a Gospel-perspective? List out some of the characteristics mentioned in this passage of someone who is living and viewing the world through the Gospel.
- How did a Gospel-perspective give these believers a global-perspective? How did they see the power of God work cross-culturally?
- How did their faith affect the way they approached affliction and suffering? (see James 1:2-4).
- How has your faith changed the way you see the world, read the news, and think about engaging hurts and brokenness?
- What have you learned about managing the tension between a world full of need and your limited resources (i.e., money, time, and energy)? What are some guiding principles around how you’ve decided to engage?
- Is there a particular global issue that resonates with your heart? How have you worked at becoming more aware and engaged in this issue?
Take Away
- Take a moment to celebrate and praise God for what He has done through our partnership in Ethiopia.
- Take a moment to pray specifically for Worku and Kevin, the church leaders in Ethiopia, the widows in the care centers, the school for the blind, and the academy. Ask for God’s protection and for continued help in these important projects.
- Take a moment to ask God to help you become more aware and more engaged in a world full of need. Ask Him for wisdom to help you know what to do and the courage and strength to do it.